STEVE SHEAR
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Where do you live (City, State, or Country)?
San Jose, California
 
Your script stood out among hundreds of others. What was the inspiration for your story and why did you write a script instead of a short story or a novel?
Good questions. First of all, in the past I focused on novels, seven of which have been published. I then worked with an experienced screenwriter, and we collaborated on screenplays adapted from most of my novels, and at the same time, I wrote stage plays, some based on my novels, others out of my head. Two of the stage plays out of my head have been published. Who Killed Olive Oyl, the script which received a finalist award, was also out of my head.
 
I am thinking about writing a corresponding stage play and I originally wrote Olive Oyl as an example of a short story for a creative writing class I was teaching. My inspiration for this story was several-fold. First, I wanted to show how one goes about developing a character, the good, the bad, and the ugly, that character being Rudy Spector, the protagonist. I also wanted to illustrate how you incorporate a theme, in my case, the idea of wanting to die with dignity ahead of serious pain and suffering while at the same time, trying to figure out how to make sure you leave your family economically healthy after you’re gone. Finally, I wanted to show how to establish a surprise ending.
 
How long did it take you to write your script...and what is your writing process? Do you outline...use index cards...white board...or just start with FADE IN?
Ha! To all those questions. First of all, it took me at least thirty rewrites before I was happy with the script. Interestingly enough, I discovered that writing a short story is just as difficult as writing a long story like a novel but paying attention to different things. Based on my past experiences, it takes months, sometimes years, to get things right which includes putting the story down, then taking it up, then down then up over that period. Each time, something new occurs to me and something bad pops up.
 
As for how I work. I can tell you I am no John Grisham. He spends months on an outline and goes from there. I am not organized enough to even consider doing that. Plus, it’s not fun being that methodical. I start all my project with a general idea and a theme whether its dying with dignity, a soldier with PTSD, confronting religious fanaticism or other fluffy subjects. The truth is when I start my writing day, I never really know where it takes me and that is the most enjoyable part of writing creatively.
 
What is your ultimate ambition as a writer?
My ultimate ambition is to continue writing on critical issues in a way that captures the readers’ emotions and intellect. At the same time, it has to be well written and contain absolutely no holes in the story, all of which is why it takes so many revisions.
 
Which film or television writers inspire you? Why?
The writers of Breaking Bad, The Bear, The Wire, and other great shows make me want to reach for the stars, although at my age, the likelihood of actually reaching the stars is unlikely to say the least. They are all good stories, well written, with great dialogue, and super development. Plus, they are fun to watch.
 
What’s your all-time favorite movie or television show?
TV – Probably Breaking Bad and The Bear as I mentioned but there are quite a few others … to many to name actually.
 
What advice do you have for writers hoping to win a contest or place as a finalist as you have?
First of all, I’m beginning to wonder what entering contests does for you, even when you become a finalist or even win. I personally don’t know anyone who received a contract because they won a particular contest. Of course, who knows. There’s always a first time. Maybe this is mine.
 
What else are you working on that the world needs to know about?
Recently, my focus has been on my screenplay, stage play, and novella entitled BENCHES.
 

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